Category Archives: Officers

2019/2020 Officers

kdenning@uoregon.edu
Katie is a fourth-year PhD student in the Psychology Department in the Social Cognition Lab run by Dr. Sara Hodges. She studies how people consider the perspectives (e.g., thoughts, feelings, beliefs; AKA perspective taking) of others and how this process impacts our everyday social lives, especially political intergroup relations and polarization.Outside of the lab, Katie loves to spend time with her friends (and adorable dog Lily) while exploring new hikes and wineries, or spending a night at home cooking and watching Netflix

kegelhof@uoregon.edu
Kira Egelhofer is a fifth-year graduate student of chemistry and member of the Lonergan Lab. Her research focuses on understanding charge-transport processes at the interface of the solar cell absorber and contact. Kira enjoys being in the outdoors, wine tasting, and annual Harry Potter re-readings.

coon@uoregon.edu
Krystal is a fourth-year biology graduate student in the Prehoda Lab. Her research focuses on understanding how the actomyosin cytoskeleton is involved in polarizing neural stem cells. Outside of lab, she enjoys doing yoga and meditation, taking care of her fish and house plants, watching TV, eating, and reading.

hlebleu@uoregon.edu
Heather Le Bleu is a third-year graduate student of biology in the Stankunas lab. Her research is focused on identifying the molecular pathway for zebrafish fin regeneration. Outside research she enjoys the gym, reading and spending time with her Persian cat named Petals (see photo).

gwaddell@uoregon.edu
Grace is a third year biochemistry graduate student in the Hansen Lab. Her research investigates how signaling molecules are recruited to membrane surfaces during signal transduction events. She uses TIRF microscopy to visualize fluorescent proteins interacting supported lipid bilayers. Outside the lab, you can find Grace spending time with her friends, taking pictures, and enjoying the great outdoors.

stephv@uoregon.edu
Steph is a third year biology graduate student in the Guillemin lab. She studies how bacteria influence gut development in fruit flies. She is an expert fly dissector, and can catch a fly out of the air with her hands! When she is not in the lab, Steph enjoys swimming and being outside.

kne@uoregon.edu
Kelly is a 2nd year psychology PhD student in the Cognitive-Neuroscience area working with Dr. Sereno. She studies integrative visual perception with a focus on how context impacts shape and pattern perception. Outside of the lab Kelly loves visiting wineries, searching for fancy desserts, and Lord of the Rings marathons on chilly days.

janellea@uoregon.edu
Janelle Stevenson is a fourth-year biology graduate student in the Zemper Lab. Her research focuses on understanding homeostasis and regeneration in the colonic epithelium. She investigates how the loss of a specific protein, expressed throughout the colon, alters homeostasis and reduces regeneration capability in mice. In her free time, she likes spending time with her husband and two kids, running, and baking.

clevinn@uoregon.eduCarrie is a sixth-year chemistry graduate student working in the Pluth Lab. Her research involves designing new hydrogen sulfide donors and probes. Outside of lab, she enjoys running, baking, giraffes, and cats!

annieg@uoregon.edu
Annie Gilbert is a third-year chemistry graduate student in the Pluth lab. Her research focuses on developing small molecule hydrogen sulfide donors. Outside of research, she enjoys running, rowing, and spending time with her cat, Olive.

vit@uoregon.edu
Vi is a third year biochemistry graduate student in the McKnight lab. She studies why organisms use energy to organize their DNA into certain patterns. Outside of lab, she can be found gardening, playing video games, and working on her Ph.D side quest of becoming an amateur naturalist.

2018/2019 Officers

msconce@uoregon.edu
Michelle Massaquoi is a fourth year biology graduate student in the Guillemin lab. Her research focuses on understanding how the presence of microbes within the intestine impact the development of the host. She is investigating how a specific protein, secreted by gut bacteria, induces the proliferation of insulin-producing beta cells within the larval zebrafish pancreas. This is Michelle’s third year serving as a UOWGS board member. In her free time she likes to hike, watch football and can be found most mornings running “Pre’s trail” by campus.

kegelhof@uoregon.edu
Kira Egelhofer is a fourth-year graduate student of chemistry and member of the Lonergan Lab. Her research focuses on understanding charge-transport processes at the interface of the solar cell absorber and contact. Kira enjoys being in the outdoors, wine tasting, and annual Harry Potter re-readings.

dreuter@uoregon.edu
Dana is a 4th year graduate student working with Dr. Hopkins in the UO Vertebrate Paleontology lab. Her research on mammalian paleoecology focuses on paleo foodweb building, carnivoran tooth morphology, and the evolution of omnivory. When she is not nerding out over geology and ancient mammals she is getting lost in the woods, brewing beer, playing board games, and reading philosophy books.

terril@uoregon.edu
Terri Lovell is a 4th year graduate student in the Jasti lab. Her research focuses on making new fluorescent molecules to monitor and diagnose melanoma. Outside of the lab she enjoys hiking, playing sports and most of all spending time with her dog.

sstednit@uoregon.edu
Sarah is a fifth year graduate student in the Biology department working
in the Washbourne lab. Her thesis work focuses on the social brain of
zebrafish, using computer vision and genetic techniques to understand
what regions of the brain generate complex social behaviors. Outside of
research, she enjoys painting, music, and electronics.

esales@uoregon.edu
Emily Sales is a fifth year graduate student in the Institute of
Neuroscience. Her thesis project is focused on neural circuit assembly
in the fruit fly. Outside of the lab, you can find her in the garden,
cooking in the kitchen, or exploring nature.

coon@uoregon.edu
Krystal is a third year biology graduate student in the Prehoda lab. Her
research focuses on how polarity protein complex becomes polarized and
depolarized. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching TV, yoga,
and swimming.

kdenning@uoregon.edu
Katie is a third-year PhD student in the Psychology Department in the Social Cognition Lab run by Dr. Sara Hodges. She studies how people consider the perspectives (e.g., thoughts, feelings, beliefs; AKA perspective taking) of others and how this process impacts our everyday social lives, especially intergroup relations. She also studies whether this process occurs without conscious awareness. Outside of the lab, Katie loves to spend time with her friends (and adorable dog Lily) while exploring new hikes and wineries, or spending a night at home cooking and watching Netflix.

clevinn@uoregon.eduCarrie is a fifth-year chemistry graduate student working in the Pluth Lab. Her research involves designing new hydrogen sulfide donors and probes. Outside of lab, she enjoys running, baking, giraffes, and cats!

mbanuelo@uoregon.edu
Maria is a fifth year biology graduate student in the Guillemin lab. Her research investigates how bacterial secreted small molecules affect the spatial structure of bacterial populations within a host. Outside of lab she enjoys the outdoors, watching TV, and spending time with her friends and family.

cfunch2@uoregon.edu
Chris is a 4th year chemistry student in the Boettcher lab. His research focuses on the study and development of a process to deposit III-V semiconductor materials for low-cost, high-efficiency solar applications. In his final year he plans to fabricate small solar devices for material characterization. In his spare time he likes to swim, bike, and run in training for triathlons, which he usually competes in during the summer months.

2017/2018 Officers

Andrea Steiger — President

Andrea is a fourth-year graduate student in the chemistry department working in the Pluth lab and is in her third year serving on the WGS executive board. Her thesis research focuses on designing controllable hydrogen sulfide donors for studying H2S chemical biology. Outside of lab, she enjoys running, annoying her cat, and drinking coffee

Lisa Enman is a fifth year chemistry graduate student in Shannon Boettcher’s lab. Her research is focused on heterogeneous catalysts for the water oxidation reaction, which limits the efficiency of hydrogen production via water electrolysis. When not working in the lab, she enjoys hiking, playing softball, watching football, and thrift shopping.

Michelle Sconce is a third year biology graduate student in the Guillemin Lab. Her research focuses on how microbial-secreted biomolecules impact host development, specifically within beta cells. In her free time, she enjoys running, hiking, and watching football.

Danielle Hamann— Seminar Chair

Danielle Hamann is a 3rd year graduate student in the chemistry department working in the Dave Johnson lab. Her research focuses on studying how the nanoarchitecture and constituent layers in heterostructure influence the strucutre and electric properties. This is her first year as a UOWGS board member. In her free time she enjoys running, reading, watching cringe-worthy Hallmark movies or 90’s TV series, and binging the latest Little Mix video.

Kira Egelhofer — Funding Chair

Kira Egelhofer is a third-year graduate student of chemistry and member of the Lonergan Lab. Her research focuses on understanding charge-transport processes at the interface of the solar cell absorber and contact. Kira enjoys being in the outdoors, wine tasting, and annual Harry Potter re-readings.

Lisa is a fourth year chemistry graduate student working on a collaborative project between the DWJ and Haley labs. She is investigating cooperativity in supramolecular probes for anion sensing. If you want to start a non-science based conversation with Lisa, ask her about her beloved Seattle Reign FC or USWNT teams. You might find Lisa skating under the name Abby WHAMblock at Emerald City Roller Derby bouts or on the slopes at Willamette Pass as a ski patroller. She prefers conversations over coffee, chocolate, or cider but can also be found chatting on ski lifts in the Cascades during the winter.

Dana Reuter — Outreach Co-Chair

Dana is a 3rd year graduate student working with Dr. Hopkins in the UO Vertebrate Paleontology lab. Her research on mammalian paleoecology focuses on paleo foodweb building, carnivoran tooth morphology, and the evolution of omnivory. When she is not nerding out over geology and ancient mammals she is getting lost in the woods, brewing beer, playing board games, and reading philosophy books.

Amanda Morris — Recorder Chair

Amanda is a fourth year human physiology graduate student working in the Neurophysiology Lab (https://christielab.uoregon.edu/). Her research focuses on neuromuscular fatigue and aging. In her free time she enjoys mountain biking and hanging out with her dog, Ryder.

Hazel Fargher — Public and Alumni Relations Chair

Hazel is a second year chemistry graduate student working on a joint project in the DWJ and Haley labs. She studies supramolecular forces in molecular probes for the detection of biologically and environmentally relevant anions. Hazel moved to Oregon from New England, and is excited to explore more of the Pacific Northwest. She likes hiking, roller skating, and reading.

Anne Fulton – JUMP Chair

Anne is a second year graduate student in Paul Wallace’s lab in the geology department. She studies the geochemical signatures of large explosive volcanic deposits to better understand how magma behaves in Earth’s crust. In her free time, she loves hiking, hunting for minerals, making jewelry, drinking beer, and snuggling with her cats.

Bri Gordon — Webmaster

Bri is a fifth year chemistry grad student in Geri Richmond’s Lab. Her research focuses on using laser spectroscopy to improve our understanding of the molecular nature of atmospherically important molecules at the air-water interface, as a model for secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. She enjoys reading, drawing, board games, tinkering, playing with lasers, and spoiling her guinea pigs.

Kimberly is a fourth year graduate student in the Institute of Molecular Biology and a member of the Prehoda Lab. She uses fruit flies to study the regulation of cellular polarity, which is a key cellular process underlying tissue architecture and stem cell fate choices. She can often be found with a coffee in hand and enjoys spending time outside of lab hanging out with friends and family and catching up on her (non-research) reading.

Kate Walsh — Vice President, Social Chair

Kate is a fifth year graduate student in the Institute of Molecular Biology, and a member of the Doe lab. She studies the formation and first divisions of a population of brain stem cells very early in development of the fruit fly central brain. Outside of lab, she enjoys non-science reading, camping, live music, and a good cup of coffee.

Annie Greenaway is a fifth-year graduate student of chemistry working in the Boettcher lab. Her research focuses on alternative deposition methods for high-quality semiconductors for photovoltaics. Having previously served as the WGS Graduate School Advisory Board Chair in the 2015-2016 school year, Annie is excited about the opportunities and challenges of the Treasurer position. Outside of lab, Annie enjoys spending time with her husband, her cats, and a good book (or an entire series on Netflix).

Andrea Steiger — Seminar Chair

Andrea Steiger is a third year chemistry graduate student in the Pluth Lab who spends most of her days making controlled-release hydrogen sulfide donors. In her free time, she can be found running, eating candy, and playing with her cat, all after she finishes her second cup of coffee.

Lisa is a third year chemistry graduate student working on a collaborative project between the DWJ and Haley labs. She is investigating cooperativity in supramolecular probes for anion sensing. If you want to start a non-science based conversation with Lisa, ask her about her beloved Seattle Reign FC or USWNT teams. You might find Lisa skating under the name Abby WHAMblock at Emerald City Roller Derby bouts or on the slopes at Willamette Pass as a ski patroller. She prefers conversations over coffee, chocolate, or cider but can also be found chatting on ski lifts in the Cascades during the winter.

Loni Kringle is a fifth-year chemistry graduate student working in the Marcus lab. Her research focuses on shooting lasers at chromophores to study the local conformations and ultrafast dynamics of vibronically coupled systems. Outside of lab Loni can be found hiking, playing soccer, or reading a good book.

Lisa Enman is a fourth year chemistry graduate student in Shannon Boettcher’s lab. Her research is focused on heterogeneous catalysts for the water oxidation reaction, which limits the efficiency of hydrogen production via water electrolysis. When not working in the lab, she enjoys hiking, playing softball, watching football, and thrift shopping.

Kathryn Chamberlain is from Grand Rapids Michigan with undergraduate degrees in music performance and chemistry from Butler University. She is a second year graduate student in the DeRose lab, and her research focuses on synthesizing and studying chemotherapeutic platinum derivatives and their in vivo and in vitro binding. She enjoys playing on the UO chemistry soccer team, cooking, and playing her bassoon.

Madison Myers is a fifth year graduate student in the Department of Earth Sciences working with Dr. Paul Wallace. Her research uses geochemistry and volatile concentrations of the initial products from supereruptions (e.g. Yellowstone) to understand the timescales and processes that lead up to the catastrophic eruption. In her free time, she enjoys hiking in the cascades, biking around Eugene, drinking microbrews with friends, reading, and crossword puzzles.

Amanda Steinhebel is a second year physics graduate student working with Jim Brau in the Center for High Energy Physics. Her current research with the International Linear Collider (ILC) collaboration involves conducting research and development for a future particle detector within the proposed collider. Outside of the lab and away from the computer, Amanda enjoys cooking, sipping large cups of coffee, and pondering the secrets of the universe.

Michelle Sconce is a second year biology graduate student in the Guillemin Lab. Her research focuses on how microbial-secreted biomolecules impact host development, specifically within beta cells. In her free time, she enjoys running, hiking, and watching football.

Dr. Stacey York currently serves as Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Graduate Internship Program at UO where she is able to combine two of her passions, technology and relationship management. Prior to her position with UO, Stacey was a Principal Scientist investigating novel polymers and surfactants for the Skin Care Innovations Platform at Johnson & Johnson. Stacey’s graduate research resulted in over 600 citations and her time at J&J led to an issued patent, a patent application, and 3 internal awards for leadership. Stacey spends her free time with her husband Adam (who is also a polymer chemist) and 3-year old daughter who is already showing a strong affinity for numbers, problem solving, and negotiation.

Officer Profiles, 2015-16

Current Officers

Kara Nell — President
Kara Nell is a fifth year graduate student in the Darren Johnson lab. Her research is focused on novel functionalized materials for purification of trace contaminants in water. Outside of lab she enjoys spending time with her husband and puppy – camping, swimming, hiking, and relaxing.

Matthew Hammers — Treasurer
Matthew is a fifth year chemistry graduate student with Bachelor’s degrees in both chemistry and business-finance from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. As an organic chemist in the Pluth lab, he enjoys “mixing chemicals together and seeing what happens.” Additionally, his business background will come in handy as this year’s WGS funding chair. When not on campus, Matthew enjoys exploring and supporting the Green Bay Packers.

Sarah Casper — Social Chair
Sarah Casper is a fifth year biology graduate student in Tory Herman’s lab where she uses fruit flies to investigate the genetic mechanisms that control synapse formation. When not in lab, Sarah spends as much time as possible using a rope, harness, tent and/or snowboard to explore the Oregon Cascades.

Kimberly Jones — Seminar Chair
Kimberly Jones is a third year graduate student in the Institute of Molecular Biology and a member of the Prehoda Lab. She is currently studying the regulation of polarity, a key cellular process, in the stem cells of fruit-fly brains. When not busy in the lab, she enjoys indoor rock climbing, a good coffee shop, and is an avid reader.

Lisa Eytel — Outreach Co-Chair
Lisa is a second year chemistry graduate student working on a collaborative project between the DWJ and Haley labs. She is investigating cooperativity in supramolecular probes for anion sensing. If you want to start a non-science based conversation with Lisa, ask her about her beloved Seattle Reign FC or USWNT teams or ask her how she feels about “being a duck.” She prefers conversations over coffee, chocolate, or cider but can also be found chatting on ski lifts in the Cascades during the winter.

Kate Walsh — Outreach Co-Chair
Kate is a fourth year biology graduate student in the Institute of Molecular Biology, and a member of the Doe lab. She studies the formation and first divisions of a population of brain stem cells very early in development of the fruit fly central brain. Outside of lab, she enjoys non-science reading, camping, music and a good cup of coffee.

Andrea Steiger — Public Relations Chair
Andrea Steiger is a second year chemistry graduate student in the Pluth lab. Her current research focuses on the design of controlled-release hydrogen sulfide donors and fluorescent probes. In her free time, she enjoys running, eating chocolate, and drinking coffee.

Annie Greenaway — Grad Student Advisory Board Chair
Annie Greenaway is a fourth-year graduate student of chemistry working in the Boettcher lab. Her research focuses on alternative deposition methods for high-quality semiconductors for photovoltaics. Outside of the lab, Annie enjoys spending time with her fiancee, her cats, and a good book (or an entire series on Netflix).

Brandon Schabes — Webmaster
Brandon Schabes is a fifth year graduate student in Geri Richmond’s lab. His research focuses on shooting lasers at an oil/water interface to determine how polyelectrolytes and surfactants waltz. He also works to keep the Richmond lab website running smoothly, and teaches General Chemistry to eager undergraduates. When not in lab, he is probably riding his bike, eating a burrito, or enjoying a pint (sometimes all three simultaneously).

Blake Tresca — Recorder Chair
Blake Tresca is a fifth year chemistry graduate student working on a collaborative project between the Haley and Johnson labs. He is currently researching weak hydrogen bonds in supramolecular anion sensors. When not in the lab, Blake spends his time in the garden and hiking with his fiancé and their corgi.

Stacey York — Professional Development Advisor
Dr. Stacey York currently serves as Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Graduate Internship Program at UO where she is able to combine two of her passions, technology and relationship management. Prior to her position with UO, Stacey was a Principal Scientist investigating novel polymers and surfactants for the Skin Care Innovations Platform at Johnson & Johnson. Stacey’s graduate research resulted in over 600 citations and her time at J&J led to an issued patent, a patent application, and 3 internal awards for leadership. Stacey spends her free time with her husband Adam (who is also a polymer chemist) and 3-year old daughter who is already showing a strong affinity for numbers, problem solving, and negotiation.

2014-2015 WGS Officers

Kate Karfilis — President
Kate is a fifth year grad student in the Institute of Molecular Biology, and a member of the Stankunas Lab. She is working on identifying the molecular targets of a key signaling pathway that plays important roles in blood vessel and heart development. She is also a huge Oregon Ducks football fan, and since coming to Oregon she hasn’t missed a game yet! Go Ducks!

Leticia Montoya — Treasurer
Leticia Montoya is currently a graduate student in Michael Pluth’s laboratory, developing bright and selective fluorescent probes for Hydrogen sulfide. She is interested in understanding the important biological applications of hydrogen sulfide as a signaling molecule. In her spare time, she enjoys running, dancing, camping, and supporting the Ducks at football games.

Fern Bosada — Social Chair
Fern Bosada is a fifth year grad student in the Institute of Molecular Biology and member of the Stankunas Lab. Fern studies mammalian heart valve development, and the molecular mechanisms of adult heart valve repair. She spends most of her time with her mice (in any way, shape, or form), lifting things up and putting them down, or enjoying delicious cider.

Laura McWilliams — Seminar Chair
Laura McWilliams is a fifth-year chemistry graduate student in the Richmond lab. She shoots laser beams into toxic gas most days but is known to enjoy a garden, a good cup of tea, a hike, and a bike tour when time allows.

Kara Nell — Outreach Co-Chair
Kara Nell is a fourth year graduate student in the Darren Johnson lab. Her research is focused on novel functionalized materials for purification of trace contaminants in water. Outside of lab she enjoys spending time with her husband and puppy – camping, swimming, hiking, and relaxing.

Sarah Casper — Outreach Co-Chair
Sarah Casper is a fourth year biology graduate student in Tory Herman’s lab. She uses fruit flies to investigate the genetic mechanisms that control synapse formation. When not in lab, Sarah spends as much time as possible using a rope, harness, tent and/or snowboard to explore the Oregon Cascades.

Kimberly Jones — Public Relations Chair
Kimberly Jones is a second year graduate student in the Institute of Molecular Biology and a member of the Prehoda Lab. She is currently studying the regulation of polarity, a key cellular process, in the stem cells of fruit-fly brains. When not busy in the lab, she enjoys indoor rock climbing, a good coffee shop, and is an avid reader.

Matthew Hammers — Funding Chair
Matthew is a fourth year chemistry graduate student with Bachelor’s degrees in both chemistry and business-finance from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. As an organic chemist in the Pluth lab, he enjoys “mixing chemicals together and seeing what happens.” Additionally, his business background will come in handy as this year’s WGS funding chair. When not on campus, Matthew enjoys exploring and supporting the Green Bay Packers.

Brandon Schabes — Webmaster
Brandon Schabes is a fourth year graduate student in Geri Richmond’s lab. His research focuses on shooting lasers at an oil/water interface to determine how polyelectrolytes and surfactants waltz. He also works to keep the Richmond lab website running smoothly, and teaches General Chemistry to eager undergraduates. When not in lab, he is probably riding his bike, eating a burrito, or enjoying a pint (sometimes all three simultaneously).

Hillary Henthorn — Recorder Chair
Hillary Henthorn is a second year chemistry graduate student in the Pluth lab. Her research is focused on exploring the chemical mechanism by which fluorescent probes for detecting hydrogen sulfide work using physical organic methods. She spends most of her spare time working on her house, spending time outdoors, playing with her kitty, and watching movies with her fiancé.

Stacey York — Professional Development Advisor
Dr. Stacey York currently serves as Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Graduate Internship Program at UO where she is able to combine two of her passions, technology and relationship management. Prior to her position with UO, Stacey was a Principal Scientist investigating novel polymers and surfactants for the Skin Care Innovations Platform at Johnson & Johnson. Stacey’s graduate research resulted in over 600 citations and her time at J&J led to an issued patent, a patent application, and 3 internal awards for leadership. Stacey spends her free time with her husband Adam (who is also a polymer chemist) and 3-year old daughter who is already showing a strong affinity for numbers, problem solving, and negotiation.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, citizenship status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination.